Max Verstappen has secured a significant change to his Formula 1 identity ahead of the 2026 season, adopting the number 3 that once belonged to Daniel Ricciardo. The four-time world champion traded his familiar digits for a number he has long admired, but acquiring it required more than just regulatory approval. The transition marks a notable shift for the Red Bull Racing driver, who spent recent years racing as number 1 before a narrow championship defeat to Lando Norris altered his options. Verstappen’s charm offensive with his former teammate proved decisive in securing early release of the coveted single digit.
The number switch explained
Verstappen’s racing identity has evolved considerably throughout his championship reign. Between 2022 and 2025, he carried the number 1 as reigning champion, a privilege earned through four consecutive titles. However, his two-point deficit to Norris in the most recent championship meant relinquishing that status symbol. Rather than reverting to his original 33, the Dutchman opted for number 3, a digit he has always preferred but could not access while Ricciardo held the rights. The Australian’s departure from the sport following the Singapore Grand Prix in 2024 opened a window, though FIA regulations typically protect a driver’s number until October of the second year following their final race.
Revised regulations introduced this season have created flexibility previously unavailable to drivers. Where the old framework prohibited number changes except under specific circumstances, new rules now permit switches with proper authorization. Verstappen benefited from both the regulatory shift and Ricciardo’s willingness to waive his exclusive claim ahead of the standard release date.
How Verstappen secured Ricciardo’s approval
The negotiation between the former Red Bull teammates evidently took place in relaxed circumstances. When questioned during the Red Bull and Ford livery launch event in Detroit about his approach to convincing Ricciardo, Verstappen offered a characteristically straightforward response. “A few drinks together always helps,” the Dutchman said with a smile, suggesting the conversation unfolded in informal settings rather than through formal legal channels.
The exchange reflects the enduring relationship between two drivers who shared the Red Bull garage during Ricciardo’s tenure with the team. Despite their on-track rivalry and the Australian’s eventual departure, sufficient goodwill remained for Ricciardo to expedite the number transfer. His cooperation allowed Verstappen to bypass the October 2026 deadline that would have otherwise forced the Red Bull driver to wait nearly two full seasons.
Verstappen’s new partnership takes shape
The number change coincides with a significant shift in Verstappen’s garage arrangement. Isack Hadjar joins the four-time champion as his new teammate for 2026, replacing Liam Lawson who held the seat through 2025. The French driver will carry number 6, creating a simple numerical pairing within the Red Bull Racing lineup. Hadjar arrives from the junior programme with considerable expectations, stepping into one of motorsport’s most scrutinized cockpits alongside a driver who has dominated the sport for half a decade.
The transition to number 3 carries symbolic weight beyond mere preference. For Verstappen, it represents a return to the single-digit territory he occupied as champion while establishing a fresh identity following his title loss. The number also connects him to a lineage of successful drivers, though his own record requires no numerical enhancement to demonstrate his calibre.
What this means going forward
Verstappen’s number switch signals his intent to reclaim championship dominance under a new numerical banner. The practical implications remain minimal—performance depends on engineering rather than digits—but the psychological dimension of identity should not be dismissed. The 2026 season introduces sweeping technical regulations that will reset competitive hierarchies, making the championship battle less predictable than recent years. Verstappen enters this new era with fresh branding and a proven teammate dynamic to establish with Hadjar. Whether number 3 proves as successful as his previous identities will depend entirely on Red Bull’s interpretation of the new power unit and chassis regulations, but the Dutchman has already secured the personal touch he wanted for this significant transitional season.
